Tito Sotto to anti-terrorism bill critics: ‘epal’
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has reacted to the critics of Anti-Terrorism Bill by describing them as “epal”.
On Friday, May 29, 2020, the Senate voted in favor of the enactment of the new anti-terrorism bill or known as the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
The controversial anti-terrorism bill is currently being lobbied in the House of Representatives for approval.
Many reacted to the approval of the said bill including some of the popular celebrities such as Janine Gutierrez, Agot Isidro, Frankie Pangilinan, and Kobe Paras.
Related Article: Celebrities React to the New Anti-Terrorism Bill
The criticisms received by the so-called “urgent” bill, which seeks to amend the Human Security Act of 2007, might have prompted Senator Sotto to react.
“Napakaraming naririnig at nababasa sa social media na mukhang hindi naiintindihan eh, katakot-takot na pintas. Hindi nila alam itong anti-terrorism bill na bago. Ang daming epal, ika nga. Tapos ang dami namang pumipintas, ‘yung pinipintas nila wala doon sa bill,” Senator Sotto said during an interview with ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo.
According to the senate president, they have consulted the former justices of the Supreme Court upon drafting the said bill whether it complies with the Philippine constitution.
In a report of Inquirer.net, Senator Sotto also reminded the public that everyone should not worry about the bill since it is only against the terrorist and not ordinary Filipinos.
However, he cautioned Filipinos involving in acts of terrorism.
“Hindi basta nanggugulo sa kanto… At tsaka ‘yung terrorism dito as defined does not include advocacy, protest, dissent, ‘yung mga strike strike, industrial or mass action and other exercise of civil and political rights. Hindi kasali ‘yun. Maliwanag ‘yun,” Tito Sotto said.
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